Finding Jesus in the Feasts of Israel (Feast of Firstfruits)

By:  Dale Weckbacher

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

NKJV

The second of the annual Feasts of Israel is the Feast of Firstfruits.  Historically, it commemorates the barley harvest or first harvest of the season.  In the ancient agrarian society of Israel, this would have been a celebration of God’s provision for their material needs.  However, for those seeking a deeper spiritual meaning for this feast, we only need look at the event that occurred three days after the crucifixion of the Lamb of God, the resurrection. 

Christians typically celebrate Easter on the Sunday following Good Friday.  Easter, or as I like to call it, Resurrection Sunday is the most important day, in my belief, in the Christian faith.   It is like the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup Playoffs, The World Series, and NBA Championship all wrapped into one.  Without the resurrection of Jesus from the grave, he would be just another great prophet or teacher.  However, with his resurrection from the dead he demonstrates his mastery over death (1 Corinthians 15:50-57) making it possible for anyone believing in Him to enjoy eternal life (John3:16).   

One can travel to Israel today and even though there are two sites that could be the empty tomb, they both have one thing in common; they are tombs of rich men that have no one in them.  This would fall in line with the prophecy of Messiah having his grave among the rich although he was poor (Isaiah53:9).  This also reminds us that Messiah must die but since Messiah cannot remain dead, he must rise from the dead as the Firstfruits of those rising from the dead or fallen asleep (1 Corinthians15:20).  Unlike Buddha, Mohammed, and even Jewish Old Testament prophets who pointed forward to Messiah, who are dead, our Messiah, Jesus Christ, is alive and seated at the right hand of God the Father. 

What this means for us today is,

1)      Our God is alive and not dead – Unlike other religions that study and worship someone who is dead in a tomb, the tomb of our savior is empty for He is alive. 

2)      Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father - Not only is the tomb empty, Jesus, who was seen by many after his resurrection, now sits at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for the saints (Romans 8:34).  Intercession is not a word commonly used in our modern language.  A better way of saying this today might be that we have an advocate or someone pleading our case before God the Father.  In other words, when we pray, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father presenting our petition. 

3)      Jesus is alive and coming back again – Since Messiah is not dead and sits at the right hand of God the Father, we have the hope and assurance that he is coming again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  Jesus is indeed coming again but this time it is not to die but to establish his Millennial Kingdom upon this earth.  This hope would be meaningless if were a hope in someone whose body remained in a tomb.  However, when this promise is in someone who conquered death and even sits at the right hand, the hand of power, of God Almighty, the promise has teeth and something upon which we can stake our lives. 

We have a natural fear of death for our finite perspective does not allow us to see what happens after we die.  However, this is not the case with Jesus Christ for not only is he God, he also experienced death and conquered it.  We therefore may not know the specifics of what occurs after death but we have no need to fear it if we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ. 

If you have not done so already, I want to invite you to pray with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

For those who find themselves at a point in their lives where they seem separated from God or God does not seem to be listening remember,  Jesus is alive and seated at the right hand of God waiting to hear from you.  Cry out to him now and allow him to minister to your needs. 

Finally, remember, God’s not dead, he’s surely alive.